When the New York Mets drafted Jake Mangum in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, his terrific glove seemed a given. The issue was whether he was ever going to hit enough to make the majors.
After he posted a 117 wRC+ in 75 games with Double-A Binghamton, it started to look like he might. Mangum was slated to repeat the level to start the season, and he forced his way up to Triple-A Syracuse.
Mangum followed hitting very well in Binghamton by bring nearly impossible to get out with Syracuse. In the May 26 game against the Rochester Red Wings, he batted lead-off and went 4-for-5 with two runs and two doubles.
This was his first four hit game at the Triple-A level and the second of his professional career. It was the sixth time in his career he’s had a two double game, and it’s the first time he’s done it all season.
In his three games for Syracuse, he’s an astonishing 8-for-12 at the plate scoring three runs and hitting three doubles. He’s walked once and has yet to strikeout.
That puts his stats with Syracuse as .668/.714/.917. That’s a 1.631 OPS.
On the season, he’s hitting .318/.388/.455 with 20 runs, seven doubles, four triples, one homer, and 10 RBI. He’s stolen eight bases in 10 attempts.
This is just a phenomenal start to his season. He’s showing why he was MMN’s 16th ranked prospect entering the season. With his play, he’s meriting moving up in those rankings.
More than that, Mangum is making a case for to make it to the majors sooner rather than later. He has long made that case with his speed and defense. However, now, he’s making that case with his bat.
